Marking device



Dec. 20, 1949 MARKING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 27, 1941 R. E. J. NURDQUIST 2 Shets-Sheet 1 ATTQENEYS Dec. 20, 1949 R. E. J. NORDQUIST MARKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 2'7, 1941 2 V HIVENTOR Dani a j m 7% ATTOENEYS Patented Dec. 20, 1949 UNITED sures IAIENT OFFICE MARKING DEVICE Ronald E. J. Nordquist, Maplewood, N. J., as-

signor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey 8 Claims.

This invention relates to. a marking mechanism for a machine for-marking the end seams of cans or containers with a plurality of shallow indentations which are spacedalong the end seam in such relationship as to indicate in code information as to various features such as day, month, and year in which the can was packed, the line the can was made on, or the line on which it was packed, or in the case of beer cans, the vat from which the beer was taken or any other desired information.

This is a division of my United States Patent Number 2,370,184, issued Feb. 27, 1945, on Can end marking machine (pending application Serial Number 380,951, filed February 2'7, 1941).

The marks by themselves give no information to the public and can only be decoded or interpreted by persons having a gauge or other of determining certain relationships. A gauge may be used, as an example, by the inspectors or officials in packing plants and can making factories so they may have a check on canned products shipped to customers. Obviously, such a gau e may be a simple means of measurement or may be a very complicated scale depending upon the complication of the marks.

The marking device comprises a series of die blocks held against endwise movement by a clamp lever and against lateral movement by the walls of a slot formed in a bracket in which they rest when in adjusted position. Each marking block is formed with a raised indenting o-r marking ridge which contacts the peripheral edge of the can seam as the cans roll along the positioned dies.

Each block in the set denotes one code mark, as

for example, one for the day, one for the month, one for the year, one for the vat, one for the line, etc.

A marking block will always have the same relative location in the assembly bracket, although blocks of like character can be interchanged as desired. For example, the day block must be changed each day, the month block changed-each month, etc. Each block therefore has its marking ridge in a different position on the face. Numbered gauge marks on the bracket adjacent the position of the block facilitate placing the proper block. All of the blocks'are made in the same way with gauge marks for each block-on the hold ing bracket. so that any. combination of blocks may be obtained andselected to indicate in code the information it is desired to record in the peripheral edge of the can seam.

The cans are rolled over these marking'blocks with a slight pressure on them so that the mark ing ridges on the blocks will be sure to make an indent in the outer surface of the can seam. The rolling of the cans is effected by a rotating turret operating in cooperation with suitable guide'rai and pressure devices. Y

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a marking mechanism for marking in code the peripheral edges of the can seams with spaced indents to allow one having decoding knowledge as to the relative location of the marks, to gain certain information of interest as to manufacture or filling of the cans such as the day, year, factory where the can was made, or other desirable data.

It is also an object of the invention to provide, in a'marking mechanism of this type, a series of interchangeable die blocks arranged in proper order to impart the correct indents on the can seams in the desired locations.

It is a further object of the invention to provide marking devices which may be disposed along the path of rolling cans so that the seam will be marked by the ridges in the die blocks as the cans are rolled thereover.

Another object is the provision of such a marking mechanism wherein the die blocks may be clamped tightly in operatin position and may be quickly released for convenient removal and replacement.

- Another object is the provision of a marking device of this character wherein the die blocks are retained in a bracket which is readily movable into and out of operating position to facilitate convenient removal and replacement of the die blocks.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, discloses. a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure lis a transverse vertical section of a portion of a can end. seam marking machine embodying the instant invention, with parts broken away;

' Fig. 2 is a sectional detail taken substantially along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a combined vertical section andfront elevation as viewed substantially along the broken line 3 in Fig. 1, with parts broken away; and Fig. l is a fragmentary section as taken substantiallyalong the broken line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

As a preferred "embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate principal parts of a machine embodying a marking mechanism for marking the end seams of sealed cans a. The cans to be marked are rolled on their sides in a horizontal position and through an arcuate path of travel through the machine by a rotatable turret l5 (Figs. 1 and 3) carried in a machine frame ll formed with a pair of spaced upright side frames is between which the turret is disposed.

Turret it comprises a central sleeve 2| and radially extending circumferentially spaced disclike sections or arms 22 between which turret pockets are formed. At the rear the turret sleeve 2! extends through and is journaled in the rear side frame It. In front the sleeve is mounted on a collar 23 which is keyed to a horizontal shaft 26. In the front the shaft 24 is journaled in the front side frame l8 as shown at the left in the sleeve. The shaft extends beyond the end of the sleeve and is rotated in any suitable manner.

The marking die unit, designated broadly by the numeral 2'5, is located at the bottom and to the left of the turret l6 (Fig. 3) being so positioned that the peripheral seam edge of the can a will ride thereover and move along with the tur ret. Referring now to Fig. 3 some detailed consideration will be given the marking die unit 21.

The marking unit is carried in a bracket 28 mounted on the frame base I? and may be pushed into a marking position or pulled out to a changing position. This bracket has an arcuate top surface 29 which is concentric with the rotating turret it? when the bracket is in place for marking. The top surface 2% of the bracket is cut away to provide an arcuate recess or slot 30 (see also Figs. 1 and 4) which slot is closed at its inner end and constitutes a seat for a series of individual die blocks 3| of the marking die unit.

The marking die blocks ill are held against displacement by an arcuate clamping bar or ring section 32 which is disposed within a slotted seat cut into the bracket 23, an inner face of the bar being grooved to conform to the slot 3E construction. A manually engageable pin 33 in the bar provides for easy removal of the bar when changing dies. A thumb screw 34 is threaded into the bracket 28 and holds the clamping bar 32 tightly against the die blocks 3|.

The die blocks 3! are shouldered at the bottom so that they fit the slot 30 closely and the die blocks are arranged end to end. The slot 30 terminates in a blind wall at the bottom and is open at its upper end. A clamping screw unit 35 (Fig. 3) threaded in the top of the bracket 28 at the upper end of the slot, presses down on the top or outermost die block 3! and clamps the entire end to end die assembly against longitudinal displacement.

Each die block 3! is formed with a raised suitably positioned marking ridge 35 with which the peripheral edge of the can seam engages as it moves over the die unit. The location of each die block at in the slot 38 indicates a particular class of the code mark. For example, the lowermost block in. the end to end assembly may indicate the day on which the container was filled. The one directly thereabove may be used to indicate the month, etc.

A particular code block will always have the same position in its seat in the bracket 28 but different day blocks, for example, Willhave different positions of the marking ridge 36. Obvi- At the rear the shaft is journaled in a bearing (not shown) formed in the outer end of iii) 4 ously, for the day block there will be thirty-one different marking ridge positions. The bracket 28 preferably has a scale 3'! bearing gauge marks (Fig. 4) arranged alongside the blocks to facilitate proper placing of each selected block in its assembled position.

It has been mentioned that the bracket 28 may be slid out of operative position. This is to facilitate removal and replacement of the marking blocks 3|. This sliding action is at right angles to the path of travel of the cans as they pass through the marking station (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) the bracket being mounted directly on the frame bed [1.

The bracket 28 and the entire marking die unit are held in operative position by means of a spring pressed manually operative pin or clamp ing device 39, the inner or lower end of which, as at 48 (Fig. 4) engages in a hole 4| in the frame bed. The bracket 28 slides in slotted gibs 42 (Fig. 3) bolted to the bed I! and a stop shoulder @3 (see also Fig. 1) formed on the lower face of the bracket operates in a groove formed in the bed. This construction prevents pulling the-unit off of its mounting. The bracket 28 also has an overhan ing shoulder part or stop lug 44 for engagemerit against the front of the bed I! to definitely locate the unit in proper marking position for the marking blocks 3| relative to the path of travel of the cans through the machine.

The cans a are guided endwise during their passage along the markng device by suitably formed guide rails along which the seam ends of the cans pass. Such a guide comprises an arcuate backing plate 5! (Figs. 1 and 3) which is formed with a rear ledge rail 52 and a front ledge rail 53. The backing plate 5! at its ends is formed with lugs 54 which are anchored on tie rods 55 extending between the side frames [8. At the front corner the backing plate 5| is cut out and slotted as at 58 to provide clearance for the bracket 28 and the marking unit 21 and this leaves a front guide rail section 59 of the backing plate 51 extending alongside of the marking unit.

When the can is first delivered into the turret pocket it has no rotation on its axis. After the turret has carried it to a position over the cylindrical backing plate 5| the can drops to the plate; Thereupon it may begin to roll slowly under the urge of gravity in a free rolling motion, the wall of the turret at such time havin but slight restraining effect on the rotation of the can.

The turret disc members 22 function in the usual manner as arms of a turret for the can within the turret pocket, until the can reaches a position directly beneath the shaft 24. This is at the beginning of the marking operation and provision is made for thereafter positively rolling the can along the marking unit 21. At the same time a slight outward pressure is applied to the front seam of the can diametrically opposite the rolling contact with the marking blocks 3i.

Three results are obtained by such a construction. The can seam is rolled over the marking ridges 35 as contra-distinguished; from sliding along the dies or from being lifted bythe turret. This makes clearer marks in the seam as number one result. Such a rolling of the can at the proper speed, which is slightly in excess of the speed of travel of the turret, advances the can wall forwardly of the side of the turret pocket and as number two result prevents any scratching of lithographing designs or coatings on the can wall adjacent the double seam. Finally a clearer mark is obtainedby pressing the can against the die lac s; 11th a pr ssure b in iiec d th o h sprin -pr s ed floating lide ns -t The collar 23, it will be recalled; is keyed to the sh ft 24 at that-ten itheturret It. Thi llar abuts against a washer 65 (Fig. 1;), which is also mounted on; the shaft Annular recess 66 is cut i the d cen ace f the ll r 23 and; a floating ring 61- is located the recess. Such a ring is relatively thick: adjacent; its periphery but is a n srsunls ont o pr id a p r d. coni a wall portion fili." The relatively thin rear portion of the ring has radial sliding movement in the recess 65. I-his ring is held against forward and ea wa d disp a ement by the recessed wa l ofthe collar -3 and the rear wall, otthe washer 55-. v The collar 23 carries four studs 69, (see also Fig. 2: him end: into rad al l ts- "ll. out in the rear face of the; floating ring B'L- Thisqconstructi on insures uniiorm rotation between the collar 23, the shaft 24 and the ring but allows for the radia movement of the ring relative to, the collar.

The ring 6]; is formed with an, outwardly extending front peripheral flange 12 the rear wall of which engages in front of therollingcan a. on

its end seam-during the marking operation, as 1 best shown in Fig, 1. This ,wall is disposed in alignment with the rearwall of the guide member 59; which is located; in the slotted region 58 of the arcuatebacking plate 5] and this member 59 also n a esfr nt 015 he ol i n- The floating ring; 67; is urged downwardly on the top; of the front seam of the can by a spring and roller device mountedon'the forward end of the shaft 241. This device comprises a spider member 5 sh ,.2 'and 3.), which is looselymounted on the rearend of; a bushing 16 which in turn is mounted; on the: shaft 24; Such a bushing is ins terposed between the washer 65 and the wall of a recess"; formed in the frontside frame: l8.; Bushing 15'. isDrQl/Tided with a flanged head 18 against which one endof a, coil sprin l9 rests. This spring is, mounted: on. the bushing, and the rear end of the spring engages against the spider I5 urging i-t-toward the right, as viewed in. Fig. 1.

The spider 15; carries four rollers Bl: (see also Fig. 3;) which rest within'the countersunk portion of the fioatingring 6'1: and which. bear upon the tapered-wall: 6810f: the'ring. Each roller BI, is mounted on a pin 82 carried. in the spider 15:

The dimension of the floating ring 6'! and the axial pressure exerted by the spring pressed rollers 8! are such as to hold the floatin ring concentric withv the shaft. when the ring is not engaged by the seam of the can, As S0011 the can comes into engagement with the floating ring 61, it slightly lifts the 'ring. This engagement in point of time isjust beforethe can rides upon the marking blocks 3|. This lifting; of the floating ring? is very slight and any shift: in position is compensated for by a yielding of the spring 19 which permits the spider 15 toslide or tilt sufitcientlyto allow this lifting of thgring.

It will be understood in view ofthis construction thatpressure is applied tothe sea-m of the can at a point diametricallyopposed to the point of contactof the can seamon the marking blocks. This insuresaclean cut marking; action of-each mar n id .5. as. h ridge istraversed y he mov n -and" ax ally rotati g an, e r tion of the can at such a time is such as to prevent any slippage between the seam and the marking blocks. In other words the peripheral travel of the outer surface of the can seam is equal to the lineal distance on the marking blocks which is traversed by such can seam.

This construction also'prevents scratching o! thelithographed or otherwise coated wall? of the canagainst the wall of the turret pocket-afor- When the can beginsto rotate on its own axis, as when it comes; into. engagement with the float? ing ring 6:1, it: is moved by contact with the ring tFig. 3.) away from the turret pocket defining arms It is thoughtthat the invention and many. of 1 2$ attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent thatzvarious changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts with out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.'

I claim: v

1. In a marking mechanism for amachine for marking cans, said machine including a station ary frame and; meansfor advancing cans there-1 in, the combination of a stationary bracket member removablymounted in fixed position on the machine frame adjacent the path of the act-.1 vanci-ng cans, a pluralityofdie elements; selectively carried; in fixed position by said bracket; member and disposed to engage and mark cans advanced thereover in themachine, movable means for holding saiddie elements against dis-Q placement relative to said bracket member, means for removably securing said bracket memberin fixed position on the machine frame with said. die. elements disposed in the path of the advancing cans, and means on said frame adjacent said bracket memberfor guidingthe move-sv ment of the advancing cansrelative to said marking die elements.

2. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking canS, Said machine including a statiOIlary frame and. means for advancing cans therein, the combination of a bracket member: having an arcuate slot therein mounted on the; machine frame adjacent the path of the advancing; cans, said slot being closed at its inner end, aplurality of die elements selectively mounted; in said slot in end to endrelation and dis posed to engage and mark cans advanced thereoyer; inthe; machine, adjustable clamping means on; said bracket member engageable. with the outermost of said: die elements for holding said die elements against displacement relative to said slot and to said bracket memberyand clamping means forremovably securing said bracket member in fixed position on the machine frame with said: die elements disposed in the path of the: advancin cans.

3 In a marking mechanism fora machine for marking cans, said-"machine including a stationary frame and means for advancingcans therein; the combination of a bracket member removably mounted on the machine frame adjacent the path of travel of the advancing cans,

saidbracket member having an arcuate recess therein, aplurality of selective die elementsmounted in end to end relation in said recessfor engaging and marking cans advanced thereover,

an arcuate clamping member in said recess ene s n ali ned. por ons. o sa d the l m n s. a e nt; at ral. isma ement her of re ative to.

marking cans, said machine including a stationary frame and means for advancing cans therein, the combination of a bracket member removably mounted on the machine frame adjacent the path of travel of the advancing cans, said bracket member having an arcuate recess therein closed at its inner end, a plurality of selective die elements mounted in aligned end to end relation in said recess for engaging and marking cans advanced thereover, an arcuate clamping member in said recess engaging aligned wall portions of said die elements to prevent lateral displacement thereof relative to said recess, means on said bracket member for securing said clamping member in die clamping posi tion in said recess, movable means on said bracket member engaging another wall portion of the outermost die element for holding the aligned die elements against longitudinal displacement relative to said recess, and clamping means for removably securing said bracket member in fixed position on the machine frame with the aligned die elements disposed in marking position in the path of the advancing cans.

5. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking cans, said machine including a stationary frame and means for advancing cans therein, the combination of a bracket removably mounted on the machine frame adjacent the path of travel of the advancing cans, said bracket having an arcuate shouldered recess therein, a plurality of interchangeable marking die members each having opposed shoulders thereon arranged in end to end relation in said recess for engaging and marking cans advanced thereover, and an arcuate clamping member having a projecting shoulder thereon disposed in said bracket recess, the opposed shoulders of said die members engaging beneath the shouldered portions of said recess and said clamping member respectively, to hold said die members in marking position in said recess and against displacement relative to the bracket.

6. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking cans, said machine including a stationary frame and means for advancing cans therein, the combination of a bracket removably mounted on the machine frame adjacent the path of travel of the advancing cans, said bracket having an arcuate shouldered recess in the upper surface thereof, said recess being closed at its inner end. a plurality of interchangeable marking die members each having opposed shoulders and indenting ridges thereon arranged in aligned end to end relation in said recess for engaging and marking code information on cans advanced thereover, an arcuate clamping member having a laterally projecting shoulder thereon disposed in said bracket recess, the opposed shoulders of said die members engaging beneath the shouldered portions of said recess and said clamping member respectively, to hold said die members against transverse displacement relative to the bracket, and clamping means on said bracket engaging the exposed surface of the outermost of said aligned die members for holding the latter against longitudinal displacement relative to said recess.

7. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking variable code indicia upon moving cans, said machine including a stationary frame and '8 means for advancing cans therein, the combination of a bracket removably mounted on the machine frame adjacent the path of travel of the advancing cans, said bracket having an arcuate shouldered recess therein, a plurality of inter changeable marking die members each having opposed shoulders thereon arranged in end to end relation in said recess for engaging and marking cans advanced thereover, an arcuate clamping member having a projecting shoulder thereon disposed in said bracket recess, the opposed shoulders of said die members engaging beneath the shouldered portions of said recess and said clamping member respectively, to hold said die members in marking position in said recess against displacement relative to the bracket, and means on said bracket adjacent said die members for visually determining selective arrangement of the die members to designate variable code indicia to be marked on said cans.

8. In a marking mechanism for a machine for marking variable code indicia upon moving cans,

said machine including a stationary frame and means for advancing cans therein, the combination of a bracket removably mounted on the machine frame adjacent the path of travel of the advancing cans, said bracket having an arcuate shouldered recess in the upper surface thereof, said recess being closed at its inner end, a plurality of interchangeable marking die members each having opposed shoulders and indenting ridges thereon arranged'in aligned end to end relation in said recess for engaging and marking code information on cans advanced thereover, an arcuate clamping member having a laterally projecting shoulder thereon disposed in said bracket recess, the opposed shoulders of said die members engaging beneath the shouldered portions of said recess and said clamping member respectively, to hold said die members against transverse displacement relative to the bracket, clamping means on said bracketengaging the exposed surface of the outermost of said aligned die members for holding the latter against longitudinal displacement relative to said recess, and means on said bracket adjacent said die members for visually determining selective arrangement of the die members to designate variable code indicia to be marked on said cans.

RONALD E. J. NORDQUIST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 94,432 Neale Aug. 31, 1869 496,489 Shippee May 2, 1893 581,143 Turner Apr. 20, 1897 1,081,630 Dick July 2, 193.2 1,225,712 Hoskins May 8, 1917 1,256,342 McGrath Feb. 12, 1918 1,544,429 Brown June 20, 1925 1,910,278 Browning May 23, 1933 2,002,847 Atti May 28, 1935 2,088,196 Friden July 27, 1937 2,316,517 Huntley Apr. 13, 1943 2,317,861 Speicher Apr. 27, 1943 

